 Welcome to the first episode of What the Hell is This? where we uncover the strange and mysterious artifacts of Longmont. Today we're delving into the history of this flower millstone located on the west side of Longmont public media. So what the hell is this thing? Well let me tell you these stones were once part of an early flower mill dating all the way back to 1872. These millstones were the heart of the operation until tragedy struck in 1934 when a fire consumed the old flower mill, also known as Longmont Flower Mill or the Denio Mill. But wait, there's more! In 1913, C.C. Pennock generously donated these stones to the city ensuring their preservation for future generations. And check this inscription. It reads, First Court Mill Used in Boulder County July 1859 by W.R. Floor, M.L. McCaslin and D. Horstboldt Pioneer. But what does that mean? Well according to Mr. Pennock, this mill was used to grind quartz and extract gold. In fact, he claimed that $50,000 worth of free gold was extracted from this very spot. It's believed that the mill was located near Goldhill in the area above Boulder where miners saw their fortune during the gold rush. So there you have it, the seemingly ordinary flower millstone holds a rich history of industry, innovation and gold fever. Join us next time as we unravel more mysteries on what the hell is this? Until then, keep exploring!